What to Do if a Pitbull Attacks

Esquire ^

[Chet 99]

What is the best thing to do if a pit bull — or several pit bulls — comes charging at you?

"Look at it as a dynamic event," advises Daniel Estep of the National Animal Control Association's training academy. "If the dog is 50 yards away and starts after you, if you can escape somewhere — inside a building, or on top of your car, or jump a fence — then that's probably the best thing to do. If the dog is closer than that, then that's not a good idea. In a footrace, you're going to lose.

"If the attack is imminent, try to shove something in his mouth, hopefully a nonbody part. If you've got a briefcase or a clipboard or even a coat, shove that at the dog. Most of the time, dogs are going to bite the first thing they get their teeth around. And then you can try to walk your way out of the situation.

"If that's not possible, feed him your nondominant arm. Arm, not hand. And let him grab onto that and try to get yourself out of the situation. The last thing you want to have happen is to be taken off your feet, because then it's much more difficult to protect yourself from serious injuries.

"If you get brought down, the best advice is to curl up into a ball and try to protect your belly and chest area. Cover your neck with your hands and loop your arm around so that it covers your face. When people roll up into this ball and don't move, oftentimes the dogs lose interest."

Women, too.

[PghBaldy]

How do we know that?

[shibumi]

"We have to remember animals dont know they’re going to die."



WRONG!

[Salamander]

Yeah, sure they “know nothing of death”.

That’s why even a lowly roach will run away from you to keep from being stomped to death.

Sheesh.

Sometimes what I read here amazes me, even when I thought I’d seen and heard everything.

Somebody better inform all those elephants who make pilgrimages to their “graveyards” that they know nothing of death....or the stray dogs who bring food to their crippled companions, knowing that if they don’t, something “bad” will happen.

God.
The ignorance just astounds.

[Salamander]

Some people know everything and occasionally, they post bits of their omniscience for the rest of us to enjoy.

[Northern Yankee]

That's what I first thought.

Get in the first shot before the first bite. That ought to do it.

[Pollster1]

Well, since I always have twenty rounds of .45 ACP hollow points on me, the answer to the title question is kinda obvious.

Turn in that dangerous weapon and send the dog's owner a sternly-written letter of reprimand if you survive the attack?

[Moonman62]

I’ve used that technique on a cat who liked to bite a lot (using my finger). It worked.

[Moonman62]

That’s why even a lowly roach will run away from you to keep from being stomped to death.

It's a reflex. I don't believe roaches are cognitive of anything.

[bobby cep]

<< “If you get brought down, the best advice is to curl up into a ball and try to protect your belly and chest area. Cover your neck with your hands and loop your arm around so that it covers your face. >>

That’s exactly what I do when dealing with my mother in-law.

[ArtDodger]

Here is what works for me: Bad dogs are familiar with humans throwing things at them. If a dog looks like it is going to give me trouble, I reach down to the ground and pick up a stone. If there isn’t anything handy, I pretend to pick something up! Makes the dog think twice. If an attack happens, give the dog your weak forearm and bring your other elbow down on his head, as hard as you can. Repeat until desired effect is acheived.

[familyop]

Here's a we-know-what-to-do ping. ;-)

Boom!

[Salamander]

Everything has self awareness.

Only the cruel Victorian ‘scientists’, with their “A Clockwork, Orange” mentality believed that beasts had no feelings or sentience, reacting only by reflex and “instinct” to painful stimuli.

They have used roaches in maze experiments.
They learned quickly, if I recall correctly.

[Salamander]

Kinda hard to bite something that’s gagging you since you automatically *open* your jaws when doing so.

[hmmm...that could be a new universal constant]...:)

[familyop]

"We have to remember animals dont know they’re going to die."

Hmmm. Come to think of it, I don't recall any livestock or bad dogs begging for their lives or even showing any signs of worry before being shot. But what about bugs bunny? He begged for his life and convinced Elmer Fudd. And what about the animals in all of those Disney films?

;-)

[Salamander]

Turn in that dangerous weapon and send the dog's owner a sternly-written letter of reprimand if you survive the attack?

I see you've visited my Free Freak State of Maryland, at some point in your life...:)

[caver]

“What is the best thing to do if a pit bull — or several pit bulls — comes charging at you?”

Shoot the owner.

[FroggyTheGremlim]

I’m surprised no one here has mentioned pepper spray.

My neighbor has pit bulls. I never go out without carrying a can of pepper spray.

Once one of the dogs got loose and came after me in the back yard. I let him have a squirt, right in the face, nose and eyes. He turned instantly and ran home.

[Moonman62]

Everything has self awareness.

Do you talk to plants?

[Salamander]

I once threatened an Arbor Vitae with a horrible death if it didn’t get its act together ~really~ soon.

Darned if it didn’t start growing like mad, after that.

To this day, I’ll snarl at it now and again as I pass by, just in case it’s thinking of slacking off again.

Does that count?....:)

[jetson]

If the dog is running straight at you get down on one knee arm cocked back and punch the dog square in the nose as hard as you can. If you made contact you will either kill the dog or knock it silly. If you miss or it gets your hand hopefully you have a gun.